Taj McWilliams-Franklin scored 22 points as the Connecticut Sun posted a franchise-record ninth straight victory, a 72-63 triumph over the Los Angeles Sparks.
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McWilliams added nine rebounds to set a single-season club record of 257 and Katie Douglas scored 14 points for the Sun, who avenged an 82-70 loss earlier this season at Los Angeles.
With the triumph, Connecticut moved three games ahead of the Detroit Shock with five to play for the top seed in the Eastern Conference.
Using outstanding defense, the Sun held the Sparks to a season-low four points on 2-of-16 shooting in the first quarter. McWilliams-Franklin scored the first six points of the game and Connecticut led by nine points after the period.
Los Angles closed within 28-23 at halftime before Connecticut opened the second half with 10 straight points to pull away. A jumper by Douglas provided the Sun their biggest lead, 64-46, with 5:49 left, and the Sparks did not get any closer than 10 points thereafter.
Lisa Leslie recorded her league-leading 16th double-double with 18 points and 13 rebounds for Los Angeles (23-8), which fell one game behind Connecticut (23-6) for the best record in the league.
In shooting 39 percent (26-of-67) from the floor, the Sparks played without Chamique Holdsclaw, who was a late scratch.
Next Games: Los Angeles plays at Phoenix on Saturday, while Connecticut plays at Houston on Sunday.
